Joseph P. Pittman, one of Wayne county's oldest and best known men, died at the Soldiers' Home at Danville, last Wednesday, September 17th, 1919.  He had gone to the Home a couple of weeks previous.  He has been a sufferer from heart trouble and other afflictions incident to old age, and his death was not unexpected.  His stepson, R. L. Filson, of Arthur, Ill. with whom Mrs. Pittman was visiting at the time, went to Danville, and brought the body to this city arriving Thursday morning.  The remains were taken to the Haefele Undertaking Parlors where a short funeral service was conducted by Elder R. A. Thisbos pastor of the Christian church, after which the burial took place in the Maple Hill cemetary.

The following sketch of the deceased was read at the funeral:
Joseph Pinkney Pittman was born in Robinson county, Tenn., in 1844.  His father, Martin Pittman, and his mother, Achsah Farmer, were from North Carolin, with some other families crossed into Tennessee about 1812.  Martin Pittman was an unique character, having some reputation as a crack-shot with a rifle, and was generally chief cook at barbecues.  He was a handy man, being proficient workman at tempering edged tools and doing all kinds of wood and iron work, mill-wright work, etc.

Joseph Pittman was one of 14 children, 7 girls and 7 boys as follows: James, Ann, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Jonathan, Piety, Martin, Susan, Joseph, Nancy, Thomas, Axim, one infant.  The deceased was the 10th child, having outlived all brothers and sisters some 10 years.

Joseph grew to manhood on the farm in Tennessee and in 1862 came north to Illinois.  In 1863 he enlisted in the U. S. Army, serving until the close of the war.  He was honorably discharged in April 1865.  On Aug. 6th he married Mary Frances Jordan, to whom was born 10 Children as follows: Lelah P. Garrison, of Westlock, Canada: Victor C. Pittman, Rinard: Ralph C.Pittman, Flora: Almira E. Farris, Fairfield: Geneva Babcock, of Clay City, (now deceased); Vincent V.Pittman, Selma, Calif: Ivy Hanson, Sacramento, Calif., the remaining children having passed away in infancy.

Joseph Pittman was a hard working, upright citizen who always tried to pay his obligations.  He was a natural enemy to vice, and especially gambling and games of chance.  He lost his mate, Mary Frances, February 7th, 1904, and again married in 1907 to Mrs. Nettie Filson of Xenia.  He moved to Fairfield in 1908 where he resided until his passing away.  Some time in February, he had a stroke of paralysis, and since that time had been unable to walk but still hoped for some improvement, and filally, thought that he could be benefitted at the Soldiers' Sanitarium.  About two weeks ago he was taken to Danville where he passed beyond, Wednesday, September 17th at 3:00 o'clock a.m.  He leaves to mourn, a wife, five children, twenty-eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Card of thanks- I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to the kind friends and good neighbors for their kindness and sympathy shown me in my recent bereavement.
MRS. NETTIE PITTMAN  (Comments by Roger Ball- He was born in Robertson County,TN.)